Eyewear holder

ABSTRACT

A clip-like holder for safely storing frame mounted eyewear. A fastener portion secures the holder to a variety of surfaces, while a flexibly resilient nosepiece/bridge support and restraint portion secures the eyewear to the holder. In various embodiments, the restraint comprises a resilient arm and/or a strap with mating fasteners secured to the holder body and strap. The fastener portion may comprise multi-sided adhesives, a resilient clip or the holder body may include a split bore for handlebar mounting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to corrective lens supports and, inparticular, to a discrete storage holder for supporting frame-mountedlenses from a variety of surfaces, be it a dashboard, sun visor or thehandlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle.

While corrective lenses are a necessity for many people, they oftentimespresent an annoyance when attempting to safely store the lensesin-between usage. This holds true not only for contact lenses, butparticularly for frame-mounted reading and sunglasses.

Although a variety of storage holders have been developed over theyears, predominantly such efforts have been directed tosoft/hard-covered storage cases which are shaped to receive the glassesin an enclosed housing and protect the lenses against scratches or otherphysical abuse. Spring clips may be included with the cases for securingthe case to a pocket or sun visor. Neck-worn tether cords have alsofound acceptance with wearer's concerned with misplacing or droppingtheir glasses.

Applicant is also aware of a variety of commercial storage rackstypically including multiple pairs of bow receiving holes associatedwith a plurality of horizontally projecting nosepiece support arms. Sucharms generally support the eyewear bridge piece and may also include avertical restraint portion to prevent inadvertent dislodgement. Suchracks however are designed to facilitate eyewear removal by the would-becustomer, upon rotating the eyewear upward and withdrawing it from therack, and do not normally encounter the types of abuse and jostlingcommon to the present invention.

With the exception of the foregoing floor displays and comparablewall-mounted supports, Applicant is unaware of any type of unitarysupport which might be adapted to a variety of flat or curvilinearsurfaces for temporarily storing a single pair of eyeglasses, when notin use. Applicant accordingly believes a need exists for a storageholder compatibly mounting to a variety of surfaces whereby individualpairs of eyeglasses may be restrained to the surface without fear ofscratching or otherwise damaging the lenses in-between usage. Preferablysuch a holder might also support and associated carrycase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In appreciation of the need for the foregoing holder and theshortcomings of available holders, Applicant has developed a variety ofalternatively configured storage holders for restrainedly securing apair of eyeglasses to an automotive or boat dashboard/sun visor or thehandlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle, among a variety of possiblesurfaces.

It is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide for astorage holder having a fastener or attachment portion compatible with avariety of flat and curvilinear support surfaces.

It is another object of the invention to provide for a holder having arestraint portion which captures and secures the eyeglasses thereto, yetreadily permits detachment.

It is a further object to provide a holder which accommodates a varietyof frame styles and sizes.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide for a holderwhich may be constructed as a single piece part, except possibly for themechanical restraint portion, to minimize cost.

Various of the above objects, advantages and distinctions of theinvention are particularly achieved in a number of alternativeconstructions developed by Applicant. In one such embodiment, a moldedrubber/plastic storage holder is molded to provide for a flat mountingsurface whereat an adhesive-backed fastener and/or wherethrough suitablemechanical fasteners may extend or a resilient inverted U-shaped clipprojects.

Projecting from the fastener portion is a flexibly resilientnosepiece/bridge support and from the nosepiece support portion of whicha restraint portion curves upward and back on itself in relation to theholder body to restrainedly capture the eyeglasses. In variousembodiments, the durometer of the holder material and/or restraintportion shape is selected to control the restraint force and preventundue flexing. In one embodiment, an aft extending barb preventsundesired dislodgement. In other embodiments, the restraint portionincludes a latch member which mates with the holder body. In variousother embodiments, the restraint portion comprises a flexible fastenercontaining strap or band which wraps about separate nosepiece and bridgesupports before mounting to the holder body.

Also formed into the upper face of the support body is a bridge supportwhich prevents rotation of the eyeglasses and supports same in a definedplanar relation to the mounting surface. Slotted channelways in the bodyalso receive suitably sized plugs which vary the restraint area of thesupport.

Yet another feature provided in various alternative embodiments is asplit bored support body which clip-mounts to a tubular surface such asthe handlebar of a bicycle or motorcycle.

The foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention,among others, as well as its detailed construction, will become moreapparent hereinafter upon reference to the following description thereofwith respect to the appended drawings. Before referring thereto, it isto be appreciated the following description is made by way of thepresently preferred and alternative embodiments only, which should notbe interpreted in limitation of the spirit and scope of the invention asclaimed hereinafter. To the extent modifications or enhancements havebeen contemplated, they are described as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an adhesive-backed holder with aflexible, barbed restraint arm.

FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of a visor mount holder wherein therestraint arm latches with the support body.

FIG. 3 shows a slide plug mountable in the holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 show an alternative slide plug mountable in the holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a handlebar-compatible holder having aflexible restraint strap.

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a wall mount holder including aband-grab tongue restraint.

FIG. 7 shows a front elevation view of a holder like that of FIG. 6including mating snap fasteners.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, an isometric view is shown of a presentlypreferred, adhesive backed storage holder 10. Generally, the rearsurface of the holder 10 is formed to be compatible with the intendedmounting surface and includes an adhesive backing or fastener portion 12mounted thereto. Alternatively, mechanical fasteners such as screws (notshown) may be mounted through one or more apertures 13 to secure theholder 10 to the mounting surface.

Projecting from a lower front center surface of the holder 10 is aflexibly resilient support or restraint arm 14 which has across-sectional shape compatible with the nosepiece/bridge 16 of a pairof eyeglasses 18 (shown in outline). A lower portion 15 of the restraintarm 14 projects upwardly at an angle to a forwardmost verticaltransition 17, where the arm 14 turns back on itself to a point adjacentto or contacting the upper end of the holder 10 to define a supportaperture 19.

For the embodiment of FIG. 1, a pair of distal end barbed members 20 and22 respectively prevent undesired vertical movement of the restrainedeyeglasses 18 and provide a finger catch for flexing and restraint arm14.

An upper forwardly extending surface 24 of the holder 10 is formed tosupport the bridge piece of the eyeglasses 18, although glasses of FIG.1 as depicted do not contact this surface. An intermediate filler plug26 receiving slide recess 28 between the restraint arm 14 and bridgesupport 24 permits an adjustment of the size of the support aperture 19to accommodate a variety of frame sizes and shapes therebetween. Somefiller plug members 26 and 27 which laterally slide mount in the recess28 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each includes a projection 30 which mateswith an offset portion 32 of the recess 28 and an angular bottom surface31 to mate with the arm 14 and provide a dovetail fit.

The shape of the front face of the plugs 26, 27 may be varied to fillmore or less of the aperture 19. Depending upon the type of eyeglasses18 to be mounted to the holder 10, the tension applied by the restraintarm 14 against the eyeglass frame is thus controllable. For example, fora heavily framed pair of glasses 18, the plug member 26, 27 may beremoved, which allows the eyeglasses to nest within the recess 28 andreduce the tension on the frames. Otherwise, for wire framed eyewear, aplug like plug 27, which fills more of the aperture 19, might berequired.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7 are particularly molded from apolyethylene or rubber material of a suitable durometer. The materialdurometer is selected to provide for a sufficient compressive force atthe restraint arm 14 to properly maintain the mounted orientation of theeyeglasses and minimize undesired detachment, such as with normal roadvibration and/or jostling and to provide a durable arm lift. Suchmaterials also find ready application with injection molding processesand have sufficient shape retention properties which are maintainablewhen exposed to ultraviolet light and heat.

In passing, it might also be noted that the holder 10 is approximately 1to 1/2 inches wide, 11/2 to 21/2 inches tall and that the restraint armprojects approximately 11/2 to 2 inches from the mounting surface. Theholder body 29 is approximately 1/2 inch thick and the restraint arm 14is approximately 1/4 inch thick. The recess 28 is approximately 1 to11/4 inches deep without a plug 26 or 27 and 3/4 to 1 inch deep with aplug. The foregoing dimensions are however illustrative only of apresently preferred embodiment and may be appropriately changed asnecessary to accommodate a variety of different types and sizes ofeyeglasses.

Whereas, too, the exterior edge surfaces of the fastener portion 12 andrestraint arm 14 are generally square, they may be variously chamferredor rounded, as desired. Moreover, in lieu of the depicted L-shapedrestraint arm 14, an arcuate shaped arm 14 might be used. It is also tobe noted, a slight undercut 34 is provided beneath the arm 14 relativeto the rear mounting surface which reduces the material required tofabricate each holder 10 and makes the arm 14 more or less flexible,depending upon the amount of undercut.

Relative to the rear surface of the holder body 29, a two-faced adhesivemember 12, again, extends from the holder. Alternatively, a slightrecess 110 (reference FIG. 7) might be formed in the holder 10's rearsurface to receive the member 12 and reduce the separation of the holder10 from the support surface. The apertures 13, when necessary, alsopermit use of mechanical fasteners, such as screws, rivets or the like,to secure the holder 10 to the mounting surface. Two flared pegsintegrally projecting from the rear surface with annular ridges (notshown) might be used equally well.

With further attention directed to FIG. 2, another embodiment or holder39 similar to that of FIG. 1 is shown, but wherein the length of the arm14 is extended and the distal bar 40 is formed to cooperatively matewith at least one notch 44 on the upper surface of the holder 10 in alatched fashion. Specifically, the barb 40 is provided with a pluralityof sawtooth ridges 42 on its inner end surface which mate with aplurality of sawtooth ridges on the inner surface of the holder notch44. The curvature of the restraint arm 14 is also such that the arm andridged end resiliently contact one another and whereby the springtension from the arm 14 is maintained to secure the undercut sawtoothridges 42 and notch 44 with one another. Depending upon the constructionand the types of eyeglasses to be stored, one or more notches 44 may beprovided. Although, too, one particular latch mounting is shown, it isto be appreciated a variety of other latched mountings might similarlybe accommodated by appropriately forming the distal end of the restraintarm. Several of such constructions are shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

The holder 39 is also formed to include a plug 45 having a ridgedmounting plug 47 extending form its rear surface. A resilient clip arm46 also extends from the holder's rear mounting surface and permits aremovable mounting of the holder 39 to a sun visor, etc. An invertedU-shaped mounting channel 48 is particularly formed between the clip 46and rear of the holder 39. An end tang 50 facilitates deflection of theclip arm 46 during mounting/release.

FIG. 5 shows another holder 52 wherein a modified restraint arm 54 isprovided. Specifically, the restraint arm 54 includes a rigid, outwardlyextending lower support portion 56 which, as before, supports thenosepiece of the eyeglasses 18. A strap member 58 having an end-mountedVelcro™ fastener tab piece 60 secured to its extreme end extends fromthe portion 56. A mating Velcro™ tab 62 mounted to the upper surface ofthe bridge piece 64 secures the strap 58 to the holder 52.

The bridge piece 64 of the holder of FIG. 5 is also formed to projectforward at an upwardly tapering angle to the holder body 66 and providea greater amount of body material than the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2.The forward face 68 of the bridge piece 64 also contains a plurality ofridges 70 which in combination with the taper better accommodate avariety of larger framed eyeglasses 18 and maintain the eyeglass lensesin planar relation to the support surface.

Attention is also directed to the body 66 of the holder 72 of FIG. 5which provides for an aperture 72 defined between upper and lower armportions 74 and 76. Upon separating the arms 74, 76, the holder 72 maybe mounted to the handlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle. Generallytherefore, the arm portions 74, 76 are shaped to provide an undersizedbore opening relative to a typical pair of handlebars and whereby thesurrounding arm portions 74, 76 grasp the handlebar and restrain theholder thereto. The distal end 77 of one or both of the arms 74, 76provides a finger grab to facilitate removal of the holder from thehandlebars. In passing, it is also to be appreciated that in lieu of apair of clamp fingers 74, 76, a second strap restraint 54 might extendfrom the rear of the holder to secure the holder 72 to the handlebars.In essence therefore back-to-back restraints are provided with the bodyportions 74, 76 fastening the holder to the vehicle and the strapportion 54 securing the eyeglasses thereto.

Also provided is a V-shaped recess 78 for again slide receiving a matingplug (not shown) to control the mounting of the eyeglasses.

With attention next directed to FIG. 6, a wall mount holder 86 similarto that of FIG. 5 is shown, but wherein a band strap 88 which extendsfrom the lower support arm 90 to mount in one of a plurality of matinggrooves 92 formed in the upper surface of the holder. In particular, arigid tongue 96 secured to the end of the band 88 mates with a selectedone of the grooves 92 to cooperate with one another and provide for alength-adjustable tether action. The strap 88 may be formed of either arigid or flexible material which relative to the tapered bridge piece 98can be tailored to control the restraint tension.

Lastly, FIG. 7 shows another wall mount holder 100 like that of FIGS. 5and 6, wherein the restraint strap 102 extends from the support arm 103,but includes a mushroom-shaped snap member 104. The member 104 mateswith holes 106 (shown in cutaway) let into the upper surface of thebridge 108. Also shown in partial cutaway is the earlier mentionedsurface recess 110 whereat an adhesive backing 12 can be mounted. Theshape of the dove-tailed recess 122 is also more apparent.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a numberof presently preferred and alternative embodiments, it is to beappreciated that still other embodiments and modifications thereto mightbe suggested to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, it iscontemplated that the following claims should be interpreted to includeall those equivalent embodiments within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. Eyewear storage apparatus comprising:a bodymember including a fastener portion mountable to a support surface and aresilient eyewear restraint portion integrally molded with said bodymember and having a distal end projecting outward relative to said bodymember to define an eyewear receiving space therebetween, wherein saidbody member in the region of said eyewear receiving space includes aninwardly extending recess and a plug member detachably mounting to saidrecess, and wherein said restraint portion is resiliently biased to upondeflection release eyewear contained in the space between said restraintmember and body member.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein thedistal end of said restraint portion includes at least one barbedprojection.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said restraintportion includes first and second barbed projections and wherein saidbody member includes at least one recess mating with said first barbprojection such that said first barb member may be releasably restrainedto said body member and release therefrom upon deflecting said secondbar member.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said recesscomprises a dovetail slot.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid restraint portion comprises a strap member extending from a lowerend of said body member and includes a distal fastener portion matingwith a fastener portion secured to a surface of said body member. 6.Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body member includes aplurality of apertures therethrough and fastener means for securing saidbody member to a support surface.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1wherein said fastener portion comprises a second arcuate projectionwhich resiliently extends fron said body member to compressively grasp asupport surface between the fastener portion and the body member. 8.Eyewear storage apparatus comprising:a body member including first andsecond resilient arm portions 1 each integrally formed with said bodymember to arcuately project from the body member with a distal endmounting in adjacent relation to said body member, wherein said firstarm portion relative to said body member projects from a first surfaceto define an eyewear receiving space and compressively engage eyewearpositioned in the space, wherein said body member includes means fordetachably securing a plug member in the region of said eyewearreceiving space and wherein the second arm portion relative to said bodymember projects from a second surface different from the first surfaceand deflects to compressively secure said body member to a supportmember.
 9. Eyewear storage apparatus comprising:a body member includingfirst and second resilient arm portions integrally formed with said bodymember to arcuately project from opposite surfaces of said body memberwith a distal end mounting in adjacent relation to said body member,wherein said first arm portion relative to said body member defines aneyewear receiving space and includes an inwardly extending recess andplug member detachably mounting to said recess and wherein said firstarm portion compressively engages eyewear positioned in the space andthe second arm portion relative to said body member deflects tocompressively secure said body member to a support surface.